Flexible rope net gabion

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an eco-friendly, flexible rope net gabion (5) for facilitating scour protection. Said flexible rope net gabion is packed to the extent of 45% with rocks or boulders. The packing to the extent of 45% allows the flexible rope net gabion to be evenly position around the structure (100) to provide uniform anchorage.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of providing scour protection. More particularly, the current invention relates to flexible rope net gabion for scour protection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scouring is a phenomenon whereby the top loose material of the upper soil in body of water viz., river bed, river banks, stream bed, stream bunds, sea bed or coastal area is eroded as a result of tidal activity or bed-bank movement. This phenomenon occurs due to disturbance created in the tidal flow pattern due to an embedded structure or overall seabed movement or “sand waves”.

The phenomenon is more proclaimed in case of scouring action on natural river or stream beds and also on the side slopes of the river banks, bridge piles, offshore structures, wind turbines etc. whereby a structure is embedded in the water body. Accordingly, when an underwater structure is embedded in the water body, the structure acts as a resistor of the tidal current, a vortex flow occurs, the surrounding ground is scooped around the structure, so-called washing in which the structures foundation weakens and may lead to collapse.

The gradual wearing of the water body bed possesses a significant economic problem. As, once a significant amount of soil is eroded from water body bed, an embedded structure may lose its stability and the loose footing may lead to tumbling of the structure or cause a significant damage to the structure, in case the structure is supported by plurality embedded structures.

A similar scouring phenomenon, as described above, could also be witnessed on river banks, river bed, stream bank and stream bed.

One solution to overcome said problem is to place gabions along the water body bed or river bed or stream bed or packed close to the bottom of the embedded structure. One such solution was proposed in EP2341592 filed by Kyowa Co., Ltd. In accordance with this Patent, a plurality of bags containing block objects, such as rocks having sufficient porosity are disposed along the water body bed. The bags acts to reduce the drag force generated by the water, and consequently reduce scouring of the water body bed. The construction material used for the bags is a polyester material.

However, in view of an article titled “Effect of Seawater on Ageing of Polyester Composites and Study of Aged Composite Polymer” by KÜ

ÜK, Kerem and another article titled “Degradation Effects in Polyester and Vinyl Ester Resins Induced by Accelerated Aging in Seawater” by VISCO, A M et al., it is clear that the polyester bags as used in EP2341592 are not very durable and might lose their usefulness over a period of time.

Further, the polyester sack gabions as described in EP2341592 pose another environmental problem relating to micro plastic generation. These plastic particles which are less than 5 mm lead to bio-magnification through food chain.

Indian Patent No. IN195352 granted to Garware Wall Ropes describes a prefabricated collapsible gabion product made from ropes, for protection of river bank and/or coastal areas of sea.

The rope gabions of IN195352 are relatively inflexible and cannot be transported easily. These gabions have limitations in flexibility, durability, transportability and also not useful in multiple applications and utilities.

Hence, there is a need to develop such gabions which are durable in operating conditions and are eco-friendly. Therefore, the current inventors have developed Flexible Rope Net Gabions which are durable and eco-friendly, easy-to-transport and use in wider range of applications.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In an aspect, the present invention provides Flexible Rope Net Gabions which are durable and eco-friendly, flexible and easy-to-transport.

The Flexible Rope Net Gabions of current invention made from polymers such as Polyolefins and Polyesters or mixtures thereof, which is highly resistant to degradation in corrosive environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the flexible rope net gabion in accordance with one of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the open state of the polymer net 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of using the flexible rope net gabion 3 of the invention for anchoring the structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The flexible rope net gabion 5 comprises of a lifting ring 1, a plurality of polymer ropes 2, a polymer net 3 and stones or boulders 4.

The lifting ring 1 functions as a lifting element to facilitate easy lifting of the flexible rope net gabion 5 for positioning, as required. The lifting ring 1 can be hung to a crane. The material used for construction of the lifting ring 1 is a polymer or stainless steel or the like.

The plurality of polymer ropes 2 which are connected to the ring 1 function as lifting ropes for suspending the flexible rope net gabion 5 from the crane.

The polymer net 3 is monolithically connected to the plurality of polymer ropes 2. The net is manufactured from a polymer yarn made from a mix of polymer netting and polymer ropes.

The boulders or stones 4 are held in the polymer net 3. The stones or boulders 4 act as porous structure which provide scour protection to the embedded structure. The size of the boulders is immaterial for efficient implementation of the current invention.

FIG. 2 details the open state of the polymer net 3 of the flexible rope net gabion 5, having a conical top end and open bottom end. The polymer net 3 comprises of two lacing twines 31A and 31B. The twines 31A and 31B are configured for facilitating tying of the open end after filling the polymer net 3 with stones of boulders 4.

The polymer net 3 is further adorned with a bottom 10 mm twisted polyester rope 34, disposed close to the top open end, which functions as a load-bearing portion for hanging to hook 1. The polymer net 3 further comprises of multitude of structural ropes 33, which are 6 mm polyester twisted ropes. The structural ropes 33 extend from the top 10 mm twisted polyester ring 32 till a top 10 mm twisted polyester rope ring 34. In accordance with this embodiment the 34 has a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of top 10 mm twisted polyester rope ring 34, such that the structural ropes 33 along with the rings 32 and 34 form a substantially conical structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flexible rope net gabion 3 packed with rock to an extent of 45% allows the flexible rope gabion 3 to be evenly positioned around the structure 100 to be supported thereby ensuring that it is anchored in a balanced fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a flexible rope net gabion used to provide scour protection for bridges, piles, offshore structures, wind turbines, river training, channel lining, erosion control, etc.

In an embodiment, the material used for construction of the lifting ring 1 is a polymer or stainless steel or the like.

The polymer ropes 2 and/or polymer net 3 of the flexible rope net gabion 5 is made from a polymer yarn constructed from a mix of polymer netting and polymer ropes. Further, in accordance with current embodiment, said polymer net 3 can be a knotted net or knotless net.

The net 3 and/or the rope 2 can be made of twisted/braided yarn. The polymer net 3 could be either knotless net or knotted net.

The polymer net 3 and/or ropes 2 could be made of yarn containing polyolefin with polyester content varying from 0-100%.

The polymer net 3 and/or ropes 2 could be made of yarn containing between 20-90% polyolefin and between 10-80% polyester.

The yarn used for production of the polymer net 3 and/or ropes 2 is a bio-based yarn.

The polymer net 3 is packed with rocks to the extent of 45% of the volume of the Net 3. Packing the rock to an extent of 45% of the total volume of polymer net 3 which allows the flexible rope net gabion 5 to be evenly positioned around the structure 100 to be supported thereby, ensuring that the structure is anchored in a balanced manner.

In an embodiment, the polymer net 3 is monolithically connected to plurality of polymer ropes 2.

The flexible rope net gabion 5 forms a porous and flexible structure containing stones or boulders 4. Said stones or boulders 4 provide excellent protection from scouring. In accordance with this embodiment, it is possible to achieve effective implementation of the current invention irrespective of the size of the boulders. Further, in accordance with this embodiment, the flexible rope net gabion 5 of the invention could be evenly positioned around the structure to be supported thereby ensuring that it is anchored in a balanced manner.

In accordance with one of the embodiments, the polymer net 3 of the flexible rope net gabion 5 has a conical top end and open bottom end. The polymer net 3 is equipped of two lacing twines 21A and 21B. The twines 21A and 21B are designed for facilitating tying of the open end after filling the polymer net 3 with stones of boulders 4.

The plurality of polymer ropes 2 comprises of a bottom 10 mm twisted polyester rope 24, disposed close to the open end of the polymer net 3, which functions as a load-bearing portion for hanging to hook 1. The polymer rope 2 further comprises of multitude of structural ropes 23, which are 6 mm polyester twisted ropes. The structural ropes 23 extend from the top 10 mm twisted polyester ring 22 till a top 10 mm twisted polyester rope ring 24. In accordance with this embodiment the 24 has a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of top 10 mm twisted polyester rope ring 22, such that the structural ropes 23 along with the rings 22 and 24 form a substantially conical structure.

In accordance with one of the embodiments of the invention, the flexible rope net gabion 5 packed with rock to an extent of 45%. The 45% packing allows the flexible rope gabion 5 to be evenly positioned around the structure 100 to be supported, thereby ensuring that the structure 100 is anchored in a balanced fashion.

In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible rope net gabion of the invention also ensures lower micro-plastic release and lower harm to environment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible rope net gabion of the invention is eco-friendly.

In another advantageous embodiment, the specific gravity of the yarn is increased so as to achieve efficient submersion of the flexible net gabions of the invention.

In another advantageous embodiment, the flexible rope net gabion of the invention provides a porous flexible structure that provides excellent scour protection and is durable.

In an a embodiment of the invention, the flexible rope net gabion of the current invention could be effectively used for preventing scouring or soil erosion from on the water body bed or sea-shore or river bank or riverbed or streambed or stream bank.

Novel Features of the Invention:

-   -   The flexible rope net gabion of current invention is flexible         and easy-to-transport.     -   The flexible rope net gabion of current invention is         eco-friendly.     -   The flexible rope net gabion of current invention ensures lower         micro-plastic release and lower harm to environment, owing to         the composition of the yarns used for construction of the         polymer ropes and the polymer net     -   The flexible rope net gabion of current invention is durable     -   The flexible rope net gabion of current invention could be         manufactured using synthetic yarn or a bio-based yarn.     -   The polymer net 3 of the flexible rope net gabion of current         invention could be either knotless net or knotted net.     -   The polymer net is monolithically connected to plurality of         polymer ropes.     -   The effective implementation of the flexible rope net gabions of         current invention can be achieved irrespective of the size and         shape of the boulders.

The flexible rope net gabion of the current invention could be effectively used for preventing scouring or soil erosion from the water body bed or sea-shore or river bank or riverbed or streambed or stream bank.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art upon reviewing the description. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled 

1. An easy-to-transport, flexible rope net gabion 5 for scour protection comprising: a. a lifting ring; b. a plurality of polymer ropes; c. a polymer net, and d. stones or boulder, wherein the polymer net is packed with rocks or boulders to an extent of 45%, such that the rope net gabion could be evenly positioned around a structure to be supported.
 2. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of polymer ropes and the polymer net are constructed of synthetic or bio-based material.
 3. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of polymer ropes and the polymer net are constructed from a mix of polymer netting and polymer ropes.
 4. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition of the polymer ensures lower micro-plastic release and lower harm to environment.
 5. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymer net is a knotless net.
 6. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymer net is monolithically connected to the plurality of polymer ropes.
 7. The rope net gabion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymer net is a knotted net. 